LRSD board approves community eligibility provision for free student meals

The Little Rock School District Board meeting on June 26, 2025, highlighted a significant initiative aimed at enhancing student support and nutrition services. The board discussed the implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which would allow all students in the district to receive free breakfast and lunch, effectively removing financial barriers and stigma associated with school meals.

Director of Child Nutrition emphasized the importance of this program, stating, "It removes the stigma from every day at all of our schools... we fed more children than we had ever fed in the district." This initiative is expected to streamline meal services and improve participation rates, as it eliminates the need for families to navigate complex paperwork and reduces meal debt across the majority of schools.

The board unanimously approved the necessary steps to implement CEP, with Director Mason noting the positive impact it could have on student engagement and well-being. The program is set to benefit all schools except three with lower qualifying percentages, ensuring that no child goes without a meal.

In addition to the nutrition program, the meeting also addressed financial updates, including a report on the district's budget and expenditures. The board discussed the need for additional funding to support ongoing capital improvement projects, with plans to issue bonds to cover costs associated with aging infrastructure and necessary upgrades.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to enhancing educational resources and support systems for students, with a clear focus on nutrition and infrastructure improvements as key priorities moving forward.